Residential Carpet Cleaning El Dorado Hills CA is the process of removing spots, marks, or blots from a carpet. Generally, stains should be treated as soon as possible to reduce the possibility of permanent color change or discoloration.
During everyday use, dirt, dust, skin cells, pet hair, and bacteria accumulate in homes. Professional carpet cleaners can eliminate these items for you.
There are several different ways to clean carpets, and each one has its pros and cons. A professional cleaning company will be able to advise you on the best method for your carpets. They may even have specific methods they use for certain types of stain removal.
In this process, a dry product is spread over the carpet, and agitated with a machine using cylindrical counter rotating brushes or a special brushing device. The dirt in the carpet is trapped by the dry cleaning product and is then vacuumed up. This is one of the quickest drying carpet cleaning methods, but doesn’t remove all soils from the top 1/3 of the pile.
Bonnet cleaning, also known as spin cleaning, is a low moisture carpet cleaning method. The carpet is first vacuumed, and then a mist of cleaning product mixed with carbonated water is sprayed onto the surface. A rotary scrubber with an absorbent pad is then run over the surface of the carpet at 100 to 300 rpm. The dirt attaches to the pad, which is then replaced and the cycle repeated. This is a good carpet maintenance cleaning method, but doesn’t get deep into the fibers and can leave behind greasy stains that are difficult to remove.
Chemical cleaning uses a solution of chemicals to loosen dirt and soil from the carpet, which is then extracted with a powerful vacuum cleaner. This is an effective deep cleaning method that is good for most types of stains and soiling, but is not recommended for wool or silk carpets, which can be damaged by strong chemicals.
The most common and effective method of cleaning is hot water extraction, which is also referred to as steam cleaning. This involves high-temperature water injected into the carpet under pressure, which loosens the dirt and allows it to be easily removed with a vacuum cleaner. It is effective for removing dirt and stains from most types of carpet, and is the preferred method by all major carpet manufacturers.
During their free-quote process, most carpet cleaners will let you know what they prefer you to do to prep the area before their arrival. They may ask you to vacuum the carpet and remove any items on the floor that could get wet, such as plants or floor lamps. While they are trained to be highly cautious in your home and will do their best to not damage any of your possessions, removing loose items helps ensure their safety as well as the effectiveness of the cleaning process.
While it may seem like a small detail, picking up full-length draperies or curtains that touch the carpet and hang from rods is recommended. While you can pin them up or simply toss them over the rods, ensuring they are at least six inches away from the ground protects them from moisture and heavy-duty cleaning equipment. It also allows the carpet cleaners to access the areas around furniture that are typically inaccessible.
Another important item to consider putting away are heirlooms, collectibles, antiques, and fragile items. These can be susceptible to accidental damage while being moved, and are best left in a safe place where they can stay until after the carpets are dry with the help of window ventilation and fans. Pets and children should also be kept in a separate area of the house or outdoors while the carpet is being cleaned. Their running around distracts the professionals and can cause accidents and potentially dangerous falls.
Lastly, you should lay down painter’s tape on the corners and baseboards of your home where the hoses used by the carpet cleaning equipment might rub. This simple step prevents the rubbing of the paint and can save you a lot of time and money.
It’s also a good idea to pre-treat any stain areas that you may have on the carpet. Using a stain removal spray formula before the carpet cleaning starts helps to loosen up stains and make them easier to clean. This is a quick and easy thing to do and will enhance the effectiveness of the professional carpet cleaning process.
When you have carpeting in your home or office, it’s important to keep up with routine cleaning. Vacuuming is a good start, but it’s also a good idea to have the carpets professionally cleaned on a regular basis. Professionals use specialized equipment to remove dirt and grime that’s embedded in the fibers of the carpet. This can make the carpet look newer and feel softer.
The carpet is first vacuumed to remove surface soil and loosen grit that has become bonded to the fibers. A pretreatment designed specifically for your type of carpet is then applied and allowed to dwell on the carpet for a short time. This breaks up and dissolves the soil so it can be removed by the cleaning machine.
This is followed by the actual cleaning process. Using a power or hand-held brush, the carpet is worked into the solution. A mild detergent is then scrubbed into the carpet. The cleaning solution then is extracted with hot water. The rinsing of the carpet is extremely important as it helps to maintain the pH balance of the carpet.
After the cleaning process is complete, the carpet should be thoroughly vacuumed again. Then, any spots or stains that need special attention are treated with a spot cleaner. This is a great time to add an odor-eliminating deodorizer as well.
Antimicrobial deodorizers can help to eliminate odors caused by bacteria that build up in the carpet fibers over time. For an at-home version of this mixture, you can use a combination of salt, borax, and vinegar. The Thriving Home blog recommends starting with equal parts of each ingredient and adding them to a spray bottle. Then, spray the solution on any stain or odor areas. You can also dab the mixture onto a stain with a cloth, though you should avoid rubbing it in.
Another way to keep your carpet clean and smelling great is by doing what you can on a daily basis to prevent the accumulation of dirt and grime in high traffic areas. For example, make sure to always wipe up food spills as soon as they happen. This will reduce the chance of a stain and will also help your carpet to stay clean longer.
As with any cleaning service, a little post-cleaning care is needed to ensure the best results. For one thing, you’ll want to keep people and pets off newly cleaned carpet until it is completely dry. Walking on damp carpet flattens fibers, increases drying time, and may cause spots to reappear. In addition, it is important to open windows and use fans to circulate air for speedier drying. This also helps protect the carpet from direct sunlight, which can fade carpet color.
Ideally, you should vacuum at least once a week (ask your carpet cleaner how often they recommend) to remove dirt from the surface and prevent it from becoming embedded in the fibers. The more time passes between vacuuming sessions, the harder it will be to remove tough stains and dirt from your carpets.
If you have any rugs, particularly wool or vintage ones, ask your carpet cleaner to spot treat them for you. They can use a rug shampooer that is safe to use on your delicate rugs.
You should also ask them to apply any fabric protector that was applied during the cleaning process. This will help keep your carpets looking great longer and prevent resoiling.
Some professional carpet cleaners have a variety of spot treatments that can be applied to stubborn stains and odors, such as food or pet stains. They will likely mention these when you make your appointment. If not, you can ask them about specific spots on the phone before they arrive so that they are prepared to address any messes you have.
Another good spot treatment to have on hand is a powder carpet shampoo. This product is a real time-saver, as it eliminates odors and bacteria without the need for water or scrubbing. It is easy to use – simply sprinkle it on the spot and leave it to work its magic, then vacuum it up. The result is a clean, fresh-smelling carpet. This is a great choice for treating odors caused by children or pets, and it is especially useful to have on hand for wool or stain-resistant carpets.
